Swain, Joseph, 1857-1927

When Herbert Hoover took his entrance examinations at Stanford University, Dr. Joseph Swain, later the President of Swarthmore College, presided over these examinations. Dr. Swain took an interest in Hoover and helped him through his education.

Joseph Swain, the sixth President of Swarthmore College, was born into the Society of Friends on June 16, 1857 in Pendleton, Indiana. After receiving his B.L. and M.S. degrees from Indiana University and studying Mathematics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh, he became a member of the Indiana University faculty. After a brief tenure at Leland Stanford University, he returned to Indiana University in 1893 to become President and remained there until 1902 when he was called to Swarthmore. During his Presidency Swarthmore earned a reputation as a serious institution of learning. He strengthened the curriculum and sought greater control over sports. Through endowment drives, he raised funds to hire more teachers and build more laboratories. He became active in educational and reform organizations and served as President of the National Education Association from 1910-1911. He retired at the end of the 1920-1921 school year and died on May 19,1927.